Disney Beauty and the Beast JR

Opening with a superb light show to the introduction music gave the feeling of colour and joy and the rest of the show didn’t disappoint. Throughout it was full of both, the costumes and light effects filled the stage. 

The opening with the transformation of the selfish, arrogant Prince into The Beast (Finlay Hatfield) was atmospheric. We met Belle (Matilda Forbes) who looked the part and also sang confidently joined by a Chorus of well-disciplined youngsters. 

Gaston (Ciaran Arthur) strutted and posed totally in keeping with his character. His sidekick Le Fou (Harry Moxon) full of fun and energy was a perfect foil to Gaston. Belle’s father Maurice (Isaac Moxon) went through the various emotions with ease, happy at his experiment working, sadness at being imprisoned by The Beast and happiness at the end. 

In the Second Act was the appearance of The Beast’s retinue Lumiere (Florence Smith), Mrs Potts (Lia Wretham), Chip (Olivia Keyworth), Cogsworth (Holly Kershaw), Babette (Libby Kershaw) and Madame de La Bouche (Olivia-Rose Merryweather) also a full cast of various all with  imaginative costumes from the Wardrobe Mistress (Debbie Jones). Coming together in the very popular number Be Our Guest. 

The Mob Song with Garston and the company was only one of the many highlights of the performance and illustrated the enthusiasm of the whole performance.  

The change in the relationship between Beauty and The Beast was very well played as was the transformation back to The Prince brought a lump to my throat. 

Well done to Stage Manager (Sean Hodge) and crew Mark Stradling and Rod Baxter for the slick changing of scenes.  

Musical Director (Laura Glaholm) and Choreographer (Rachael Kirkwood) should be very proud of their hard work as the singing and dancing throughout was first class. 

Congratulations to Producer James Creegan and all concerned with this very enjoyable show.

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